Winter Forage Crops Research Articles

Water-efficient clover fixes soil nitrogen, provides winter forage crop

The high yield and excellent protein content of ‘Multicut’ berseem clover make it a useful winter forage and cover crop option on Valley and foothill land where supplemental irrigation is available. This variety is a winter-and-spring annual that produces five or six cuttings from January to June if planted in October. Timing of the winter harvests is weather-dependent. Water use by berseem is about the same as for annual ryegrass pasture or oats grown for hay. Variety and nitrogen-fixation trials have been conducted at Davis since 1983. The help of Richard Caldwell, Lawrence Larsen, R. S. Loomis, Helena Marques, Dan Pantone, and Richard Snyder is gratefully acknowledged. Cultural practice recommendations for berseem clover were reported in California Agriculture in September 1987. Some of the nitrogen fixation data were published previously in the Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science 264:202–207, 2990.

Translocation of aged cyclodiene insecticide residues from soil into forage crops under optimal glasshouse conditions

Abstract Glasshouse studies were conducted to measure translocation of pesticides by summer and winter forage crop species from soil containing aged residues of heptachlor and, to a lesser extent, dieldrin. Under optimal conditions of temperature and moisture, substantial amounts of heptachlor epoxide, and lesser amounts of heptachlor and γ‐chlordane were translocated to plants from contaminated soil. Residue levels varied with crop species and stage of plant development. In summer crops residues were higher in lucerne>kikuyu>cowpeas. Residues also were found in mature soybeans, i.e. whole tops, pods and beans. Heptachlor residues in winter crops during early vegetative growth were highest in Saia oats>Berseem clover>Haifa clover>Tetila ryegrass>Schooner barley. In mature crops the order was identical except that Saia oats ranked third rather than first. No dieldrin residues were translocated into the various crop species.

Comparison of Argentine stem weevil and slug damage in maize direct-drilled into pasture or following winter oats

Abstract In 2 field trials in the Manawatu, maize was direct-drilled into pasture not treated with insecticide. When wet weather followed sowing, up to 44% of the seedlings were lost before emergence because of slug damage, and when there was dry weather after sowing, up to 57% were lost because of Argentine stem weevil larvae attack. Damage by slugs and stem weevil was reduced when a winter oat forage crop was grown before the summer maize crop, despite oats being a host of both slugs and stem weevil.

Dry matter production from irrigated winter forage crops in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area

Between 1962 and 1964, 4 experiments were conducted at Leeton, New South Wales, Australia to examine the potential productivity of a range of irrigated winter forage crops in providing useful feed during the period of shortage in late autumn and early winter. In addition, the effects of sowing rate were examined for sowings using (a) prepared seedbeds or (b) sod-seeding into existing subterranean clover/Lolium rigidum cv. Wimmera pastures. DM yields at 74, 109, 144 or 173 days from sowing were compared with a subterranean clover/ryegrass control. Of the spp. evaluated the cereals were the most consistent both for initial production and subsequent regrowth. For the cruciferous spp. early cutting (100 days after sowing) proved detrimental to subsequent production, reducing the contribution of the sown spp. to 3% DM. Although the low proportion of the leguminous forages limited their potential production, they increased pasture quality relative to the clover/ryegrass control. DM production of wheat and rape increased with increasing sowing rate on (a) but for turnips there was a yield decline with increased sowing rate. Oats showed no response to sowing rate on (a), but increasing the sowing rate on (b) plots increased the proportion of oats in the pasture, although there was a consequent reduction in total yield. Increases in the contribution made by wheat to total yield as a result of increased sowing on (b) plots were small.

Effluent Irrigation of Rye and Ryegrass

The winter forage crops rye (Secale cereale) and ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) were grown on Lakeland fine sand under irrigation with secondary municipal effluent. Irrigation rates from l in./week-4 in./week (25 mm/week-l00 mm/week) were used. Three cuttings of forage were obtained over a 2l-week growing period. Dry matter yields increased with irrigation rate, while dry matter percentage showed a decrease. Nutrient uptake generally increased with application rate, while recovery efficiency of all elements measured decreased. Recoveries of 67% and 50% of applied N occurred at l05 lb/acre (ll8 kg/ha) and 2l5 lb/acre (240kg/ha) for rye, and at 195 lb/acre (2l8 kg/ha) and 310 lb/acre (347 kg/ha) for ryegrass. The effluent was deficient in K relative to other nutrients. An irrigation rate of l in./week (25 mm/week) to 2 in./week (50 mm/week) appears suitable for production of rye or ryegrass with effluent on well-drained sandy soils.

Subterranean clover as a winter forage crop in a subtropical environment

The feasibility of using subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) rather than oats (Avena spp.) or annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) as a low cost winter forage crop was studied over three years at Taree (lat 32�S) on the subtropical east coast of Australia. When sown in early autumn, with sufficient moisture, subterranean clover yields during the winter were equal to oats liberally supplied with nitrogen, though initial yields from oats were greater over the first two months from sowing. Subterranean clover and ryegrass yields were similar during winter when sown in early autumn. In a dry year, the best results were obtained from sowing subterranean clover in mid autumn. Late autumn or early winter sowings of subterranean clover were unsatisfactory. It was concluded that sowing subterranean clover at high rates (30 kg ha-1) in early autumn provides a suitable low cost, alternative, winter forage crop.

Flavour differences in meat from sheep grazed on pasture or winter forage crops

SUMMARYMerino wethers grazed pure stands of rape, vetch or oats for 76 days in 1969 and 35 days in 1970. A laboratory taste panel found that the flavour characteristics of meat from these sheep differed significantly from those of meat from similar sheep grazing ryegrass-white-clover pasture or native pasture.Grazing on rape often produced a meat with a nauseating aroma and flavour, and with significantly lower acceptability of flavour than the pastures. There was no significant difference in the acceptability of flavour of meat from pasture and vetch fed sheep, although vetch gave an intense meaty flavour. Meat from sheep grazing oats possessed a pungent odour and flavour, but with a flavour only slightly, but significantly, less acceptable than that of meat produced on pasture.

The digestion, voluntary intake, and utilisation of energy by romney hoggets fed five winter forage crops

Abstract The comparative nutritive value of five winter forage crops was studied over a 42-day period using Romney hoggets. The apparent digestibility coefficients for energy were swedes 90.8%, turnips 90.1%, chou moellier 83.0%, mangolds 86.4%, and fodder beet 87.7%. Digestible energy per unit of organic matter intake was less (P < 0.01) for chou moellier and fodder beet (4.15 – 4.20 Mcal/kg OM) than for the other crops (4.34 – 4.45 Mcal/kg OM). The digestibility coefficients and the molar proportions of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) in rumen fluid for all crops were similar to those normally found with high-energy concentrate rations. Chou moellier had the lowest digestibility and the highest molar proportions of ruminal acetate. Animals grazing swedes and turnips had higher voluntary intakes of digestible energy (DE) and live-weight gains than animals grazing chou moellier, mangolds, and fodder beet (P < 0.01). Differences in DE intake between crops were not related to teeth lost or to digestibility of energy, but were related to crop dry-matter content, which was less than 10% for swedes and turnips and greater than 12% for chou moellier, mangolds, and fodder beet. The utilisation of DE did not appear to be related to rumen VFA patterns, and it was concluded that there were unlikely to be differences between crops in the efficiency with which DE was used for maintenance or for live-weight gain above maintenance. Analyses of pooled data from all crops showed that 0.242 Meal DE/kg W0.73 was required for maintenance and 12.01 Meal DE for each kg of gain above maintenance. These figures are compared with published estimates of the energy requirements of sheep grazing other types of forage.

Potential for winter grazing from sod-seeded cereals in southern Australia

In growing cereals for winter forage there appear to be some advantages in seeding directly into pasture rather than into a prepared seedbed. Generally, crops have to be sown sufficiently early for the bulk of the required forage to be grown before low average temperatures restrict the crop growth rate. However, in some environments competition for moisture between autumn sown cereals and pasture may be severe. The probabilities of obtaining favourable precipitation/evaporation ratios have been estimated for representative locations in southern Australia and are used to assess the possibility of successfully sodseeding a winter forage crop. It is suggested that the technique is unlikely to prove a generally reliable means of providing winter forage except in a narrow belt on the east coast and in zones of unequivocally Mediterranean-type climate. Developments in implement design and the use of chemical pasture suppressants may be expected to extend the areas in which the practice would prove reliable.

Effect of Winter Forage Crops on Growth of Succeeding Summer Crops : II. Growth and yield of summer crops.

Effect of Winter Forage Crops on Growth of Succeeding Summer Crops : II. Growth and yield of summer crops.

Winter forage crops in the New England tablelands

Ten cruciferous and gramineous forage crops were compared in the winters of 1958 to 1960 at Armidale, New South Wales. Mean total yields (pooled with respect to sampling dates) of crops each year were Giant Kangaroo rape 3650, Algerian or Acacia oats 3090, Hungry Gap kale 2490 and Thousand Head kale 1860 lb dry matter (DM) per acre. In 1959 and 1960 oats yielded 23 per cent more than rape (p&lt; 0.05).Regrowth of rape and kale (var. Hungry Gap) was 800 -1300 lb DM per acre if first cut in early winter. Total yields (initial growth plus regrowth) of all crops were generally higher if first cut late in winter.

Effect of Winter Forage Crops on Growth of Succeeding Summer Crops. : I. Yield, root weight and root system of winter forage crops.

This study was carried out to ascertain the effect of winter forage crops on the growth of succeeding summer crops. The results were as follows; 1) Both under standard and much fertilized conditions, Italian ryegrass, serradella and turnip gave high yields. 2) Red clover was superior in forage yield in much fertilized condition, and provided a good cutting yield in late spring. 3) Italian ryegrass, red clover and serradella were not the favourable previous crops to early paddy and upland rice, because their forage yields were reduced due to early cutting. 4) Recommendable previous crops to early paddy and upland rice were turnip and rape. Oats and oats-vetch mixtures which are relatively high in early cutting yield, were also favourable. 5) 80 to 90% of residual root weight of each crop remained within 15cm of soil from the surface. Residual root weight was the highest in Italian rye grass and the lowest in serradella and turnip. The similar results were obtained from root system investigation. 6) The ratios in weight of root to above ground part were 30-50% in oats, Italian ryegrass and oats-vetch mixtures, 20-40% in commen vetch, serradella and red clover, and 20-50% in turnip and rape. 7) Ploughing and harrowing were difficult in the field on which Italian ryegrass and red clover were grown, due to the much branched rooting of the former and the deep rooting of the latter.

Studies on the Plowing upon the Cultural Technics in Paddy Field : (1) The effect of different plowing methods upon the growth of the rice plant in paddy field where different winter forage crops are grown

Experiments were carried out to make clear the effect of different plowing methods on the growth of the rice plant in paddy fields where different winter forage crops were grown. 1. In the paddy field where Chinese Vetch (Genge) was grown in the previous winter, the plowing with Rotary power tiller brought about a better growth of the rice plant than that with the plow in the early stages of growth. But in the later growth stages, the case turned quite reversely. 2. On paddy field where Italian rye grass was grown in the preceding winter, the plowing with Rotary power tiller brought about a worse early growth of the rice plant than that with the plow. In the later stages, however, the case turned also quite reversely. 3. These differences in the growth of the rice plant could be modified to some extent by manuring or mixed seeding.

Studies on the Resistance of Some winter Forage Crops to High Soil Moisture : IV. Effect of high soil moisture on the number of leaf hair and the general structure of the leaf and root

Studies on the Resistance of Some winter Forage Crops to High Soil Moisture : IV. Effect of high soil moisture on the number of leaf hair and the general structure of the leaf and root

Studies on the Resistance of some Winter Forage Crops to High Soil Moisture : III. Observations on Stomata

Studies on the Resistance of some Winter Forage Crops to High Soil Moisture : III. Observations on Stomata

Studies on the Resistance of some Winter Forage Crops to High Soil Moisture : I. Relation of the yield and soil moisture

Studies on the Resistance of some Winter Forage Crops to High Soil Moisture : I. Relation of the yield and soil moisture

Studies on the Resistance of some Winter Forage Crops to High Soil Moisture : II. Water absorption and osmotic pressure of the root tissure

Studies on the Resistance of some Winter Forage Crops to High Soil Moisture : II. Water absorption and osmotic pressure of the root tissure